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Ford CEO on Sedan Purge: “We’re Simply Reinventing the American Car”

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Ford CEO Jim Hackett

Ford CEO Jim Hackett

Oh, were you over here thinking that Ford’s decision to axe each and every sedan in its lineup and leave the Mustang and a pseudo crossover variation of the Focus as the only car options in its lineup was an ostensible death sentence for Ford cars? Well, you’re wrong. At least that’s what Ford CEO Jim Hackett says.

At the annual shareholder’s meeting, Hackett defended the decision against claims that it would force out entry-level buyers and was generally short-sighted in scope. Hackett told attendees: “This doesn’t mean we intend to lose those customers. We want to give them what they’re telling us they really want. We’re simply reinventing the American car.”


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Hackett then clarified that Ford is “just moving to a modern version.” This falls in line with what Ford Executive Vice President and President of Global Markets Jim Farley told Automotive News in April when he confirmed that Ford would be offering new, affordable passenger cars, albeit with a different format. The idea of a change in format also falls into the idea of Ford exploring a white space between sedans and crossovers.

Ford Executive Vice President Bill Ford meanwhile blamed the media for focusing more on the decision to axe sedans and less on the fact that Ford will be adding several new trucks and utility vehicles to the lineup. Which was the case, of course, because the additions had been announced already but the subtractions had not yet been announced. Plus, “Ford is Killing All of Its Sedans, But It’s Okay Because They’re Still Making a Bunch of New Trucks and SUVs Over the Next Two Years to Replace Them” is a suuuper long headline.

Ford had previously announced that 90% of its lineup would consist of trucks and utilities by 2020, revealing plans for a smaller off-road SUV that will slot under the Bronco as well as hybrid variants for the Bronco, Explorer, and Escape.


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News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)

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